Written Answers Wednesday 19 March 2008

Scottish Executive

2014 Commonwealth Games

Margo MacDonald (Lothians) (Ind): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to meet 100% of the costs of permanent work at the Royal Commonwealth Pool.

Stewart Maxwell: The Scottish Government does not intend to meet the full costs of refurbishment of the Royal Commonwealth Pool (RCP).

  When Scotland submitted its bid document for the 2014 Commonwealth Games, it was necessary for the Scottish Government to give a guarantee that the diving competition facility would comply with the regulations set out by the Commonwealth Games Federation. The RCP is listed in the bid document as the venue to host the diving event.

  I understand that Edinburgh Council’s independent review suggested that the Scottish Government should pay for the total cost of redeveloping the Commonwealth Pool if the council cannot find the funds. It should not be assumed that the government will meet these costs given that the proposal to develop the pool was planned prior to the Glasgow bid. It would be unrealistic to expect Government to support the full cost of any one project.

  The Scottish Government is currently committed to the £4 million allocated against the RCP development through Stage 1 of the National Regional Facility Strategy.

Ambulance Service

Ross Finnie (West of Scotland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what proportion of the ambulance fleet currently in service will be (a) modernised or (b) replaced as a result of the £525 million capital funding announced on 10 March 2008.

Nicola Sturgeon: The Scottish Government has provided the Scottish Ambulance Service (SAS) with a revenue allocation of £183.4 million for 2008-09, an increase of 3.15% over the equivalent 2007-08 allocation. Decisions on funding levels for 2009-10 and 2010-11 have yet to be made.

  The SAS is allocated capital resources based on their approved financial plans. They have been given a capital allocation of £15.18 million for 2008-09 and notified of indicative capital allocations of £13.2 million and £12.35 million for 2009-10 and 2010-11 respectively. Funding for vehicles and equipment programmes over £5 million (such as defibrillators) are allocated in addition to basic allocations following approval of required business cases by the Capital Investment Group.

  The service replaces one seventh of it’s accident and emergency units and one tenth of its patient transport units each year at an annual capital cost of £8 million. Increasingly, the service is investing in fast response units, which are typically cars or Standard Utility Vehicles (4x4’s) staffed by paramedics. This allows quicker face to face assessment and if necessary quicker treatment at scene. Over the next year the SAS intends to invest in a further 70 fast response units.

Broadcasting

Derek Brownlee (South of Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what action it proposes to take to raise awareness of the digital switchover in the south of Scotland.

Linda Fabiani: Digital UK has been set the task of raising awareness of the digital switchover in the UK. It is an independent, non-profit organisation owned by the UK’s public service broadcasters and multiplex operators. The Scottish Government meets regularly with Digital UK’s Scotland manager to be kept up-to-date on issues about the switchover and to provide advice on issues that relate to switchover in Scotland ensuring Scotland’s interests are sufficiently well represented.

Class Sizes

Johann Lamont (Glasgow Pollok) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what additional funding has been made available to Glasgow City Council to meet the £14.75 million staffing costs necessary to implement the Scottish Government’s class size reduction policy.

Maureen Watt: We have signed a historic concordat with local government that provides record levels of funding of £34.9 billion over the spending review period. This represents an increase of 13.1%. In return local government has agreed to reduce class sizes in primary 1 to primary 3 as quickly as possible.

Class Sizes

Johann Lamont (Glasgow Pollok) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what additional funding has been made available to Glasgow City Council to meet the £32.5 million capital costs necessary to implement the Scottish Government’s class size reduction policy.

Maureen Watt: In July 2007, we announced an additional £40 million of capital grant across Scotland for financial year 2007-08 linked to future capital expenditure arising from possible implications for buildings of class size reduction. Glasgow City Council’s share was £2.174 million.

  Our concordat with local government provides record levels of funding over the next three financial years, including significant growth in the capital resources being made available to local authorities. In 2008-09, local government capital increases by £115 million or 13% and that increase is then held up to 2010-11. In total, almost £3 billion is being provided over the three year period to secure investment in schools and other local authority infrastructure.

Class Sizes

Hugh O'Donnell (Central Scotland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what guidance has been issued to local authorities regarding the implementation of its policy on class sizes.

Maureen Watt: This Scottish Government and local government have a joint commitment to the reduction of primary 1 to primary 3 classes to a maximum of 18 as set out in our historic concordat. The concordat exemplifies the new relationship we have with local government based on mutual respect and partnership. Local government has undertaken to make year-on-year progress on class size reduction and it would be inappropriate for us to direct our partners on this issue.

Domestic Abuse

Hugh O'Donnell (Central Scotland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what action it will take to support self-referral therapy projects for perpetrators of domestic violence.

Stewart Maxwell: Most behavioural change programmes for men who perpetrate domestic abuse in Scotland are delivered as part of an integrated criminal justice response to engage offenders made the subject of a probation order.

  Development work has been underway for some time to design a court-mandated domestic abuse perpetrator programme (known as the Caledonian System) which meets the standards set by the Scottish Accreditation Panel for Offender Programmes.

  Building on the accreditation process of the Caledonian System, we will support the development of a non court-mandated perpetrator programme manual, which will draw on the Manual for the Caledonian Programme and on findings from the evaluation of the Working with Men pilot project in Edinburgh.

  This work, which will support effective practice development across Scotland in relation to non-court mandated programmes for men, will be taken forward as part of the National Domestic Abuse Delivery Plan for Children and Young People.

Education

Sandra White (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many accidents and incidents involving the use of hoisting equipment in schools have been reported in each of the last six years for which figures are available.

Maureen Watt: The Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995 would require an employer to report certain categories of accidents to the relevant enforcing authority, in this case the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). In the case of a person at work this includes:

  (a) any fatality arising out of his/her work,

  (b) a major injury as defined,

  (c) an injury requiring that person to be taken to hospital for treatment, and

  (d) an injury resulting in that person being unable to do his/her normal work for three days.

  For a person not at work, which includes pupils or students, then it is reportable if a person receives an injury requiring that person to be taken to hospital for treatment.

  Although the HSE collate statistics on accidents at work, it would not be possible to identify the numbers of accidents caused by the use of hoisting equipment in schools.

Education

Sandra White (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether local authorities are required to hold records of accidents in schools.

Maureen Watt: The Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995 would require an employer, such as a local authority, to report certain categories of accidents to the relevant enforcing authority, in this case the Health and Safety Executive. In the case of persons not at work, which includes pupils or students, an accident is reportable if a person receives an injury requiring that person to be taken to hospital for treatment.

Elections

Kenneth Gibson (Cunninghame North) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive when it will publish its response to Ron Gould’s inquiry into the Scottish elections of May 2007.

Bruce Crawford: I am today publishing the Scottish Government’s response to the Gould Report, and a consultation paper on decoupling the Scottish Parliamentary and local government elections. They are available on the Scottish Government’s website http://www.scotland.gov.uk/216411 and http://www.scotland.gov.uk/216422 .

  The Gould Report demonstrates that the Scottish electoral system is fragmented and antiquated, with no clear lines of accountability for its management or to the people of Scotland. The Scottish Government believes that the Gould Report represents a unique opportunity to introduce the radical reforms necessary to address these underlying problems.

  With this Parliament, the Scottish Government believes that the key step would be for clear and coherent responsibility for legislation and management of elections in Scotland to rest with the Scottish Government and the Scottish Parliament. The Scottish Government believes this is the most practical way to improve the management of elections, and would provide democratic accountability to the people of Scotland in line with the principles of devolution.

  As well as this fundamental recommendation, the Scottish Government plans to take forward the other recommendations of the Gould Report. Today we are publishing a consultation paper on decoupling the Parliamentary and local elections. Further consultations will follow on the role of the Chief Returning Officer and on the design of ballot papers and other issues. The Scottish Government is determined that all decisions will be taken in good time for the next elections, and the problems experienced last May will not be repeated.

Employment

Liam McArthur (Orkney) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has noted the results of Fife Council’s Migrant Workers Survey; whether it will support a similar study on a national level, and how it would deliver such a study.

Linda Fabiani: The Scottish Government intends commissioning some research shortly to review and analyse data and evidence relating to migration which exists at both a national and local level to see what it can tell us about migration and its impact, and to identify information gaps which need to be addressed. This will include looking at local research and surveys, such as that carried out by the Fife multi-agency working group.

Environment

Liam McArthur (Orkney) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to match the plans of Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) ministers who, as part of their Water Strategy, will convene a high-level meeting of stakeholders from all the relevant sectors to discuss how to make best use of anaerobic digestion to contribute to climate change and wider environmental objectives in a way that is cost-effective and beneficial to the environment.

Stewart Stevenson: There are no current plans to do so in relation to Defra’s Water Strategy. However, the Scottish government is keen to encourage the development of anaerobic digestion projects in Scotland.

  I would refer the member to the answer to question S3W-10453 on 12 March 2008. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.search.

Ferry Services

Liam McArthur (Orkney) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it sought advice on the legality of its decision to favour a select group of islands when introducing road equivalent tariff fares on ferry routes and what the terms were of any such advice sought on the matter.

Stewart Stevenson: The Scottish Government has significant legal advice at its disposal. The Scottish Government does not normally publish the legal advice which it receives.

Housing

Irene Oldfather (Cunninghame South) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether local authorities are expected to carry out full consultations with residents should they wish to change the terms of a tenancy agreement.

Stewart Maxwell: Local authorities and registered social landlords cannot vary the terms of a Scottish secure tenancy except by written agreement between the landlord and tenant or by court order if the tenant refuses or fails to agree the variation. They must consult on any proposed increases in rent or charges and take account of tenants’ views before issuing a notice of the increased rate at least four weeks before it becomes payable. They must also consult tenants and registered tenant organisations on changes in housing management policy which significantly affect the tenant. The act does not specify the form that consultation should take, but guidance to landlords is contained in SEDD Circular 7/2002; Housing (Scotland) Act 2001 Guidance on Tenant Participation:  http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2002/09/15487/11221 .

Housing

Richard Baker (North East Scotland) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of (a) 20 to 24 (b) 25 to 29 and (c) 30 to 34-year-olds were living with their parents in each of the last three years, also broken down by gender.

Stewart Maxwell: The information requested is given in the following table.

  Percentage of 20 to 34-Year-Olds Living with Parents: 2004-06

  

 
 2004
 2005
 2006


 Age
 Female
 Male
 All
 Female
 Male
 All
 Female
 Male
 All


 20-24
 43.8
 59.4
 51.3
 41.8
 58.7
 49.9
 41.9
 56.6
 49.0


 Base (100%)
 1,024
 965
 1,989
 1,016
 961
 1,977
 1,013
 939
 1,952


 25-29
 13.6
 27.5
 20.1
 14.9
 26.9
 20.6
 17.0
 26.7
 21.7


 Base (100%)
 987
 871
 1,858
 934
 860
 1,794
 969
 912
 1,881


 30-34
 5.9
 11.6
 8.6
 6.0
 11.0
 8.3
 7.7
 12.8
 10.0


 Base (100%)
 1,178
 1,025
 2,203
 1,139
 934
 2,073
 1,089
 924
 2,013



  Source: Scottish Household Survey.

Housing (Scotland) Act 2001

Irene Oldfather (Cunninghame South) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Housing (Scotland) Act 2001 compels local authorities to consult sheltered housing residents should they propose to remove certain services.

Stewart Maxwell: The Housing (Scotland) Act 2001 does not make any separate provision in relation to sheltered housing. Under the act, local authorities and registered social landlords cannot vary the terms of a Scottish secure tenancy except by written agreement between the landlord and tenant or by court order if the tenant refuses or fails to agree the variation. They must consult on any proposed increases in rent or charges and take account of tenants’ views before issuing a notice of the increased rate at least four weeks before it becomes payable. They must also consult tenants and registered tenant organisations on changes in housing management policy which significantly affect the tenant. The act does not specify the form that consultation should take, but guidance to landlords is contained in SEDD Circular 7/2002, Housing (Scotland) Act 2001 Guidance on Tenant Participation. This can be viewed at http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2002/09/15487/11221 .

Local Government Finance

Richard Baker (North East Scotland) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what amount of budget cuts each local authority plans to make in 2008-09.

John Swinney: It is the responsibility of each local authority to decide on its own budgetary requirements and, as a result, the information requested is not held centrally.

  This government is, however, investing record levels of funding in local government, as well as giving them more freedom and flexibility to spend their resources as they decide, to meet the national priorities and individual local needs and circumstances under our shared framework of national outcomes as set out in the jointly signed concordat. This means that local government should have sufficient resources not just to maintain, but also improve, the front-line services their constituents need and deserve.

Local Income Tax

Derek Brownlee (South of Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive how much the proposed local income tax would raise annually.

John Swinney: The government published a paper on 18 March 2008 detailing revenue projections for a local income tax. This is available from the Scottish Parliament Information Centre. The Bib. number for the publication is 45130.

Local Income Tax

Derek Brownlee (South of Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive how much the proposed local income tax would raise directly from taxpayers if in force in the (a) 2007-08, (b) 2008-09 and (c) 2009-10 tax years.

John Swinney: If the local income tax was in force it is estimated to raise £1,312 million in 2007-08, £1,365 million in 2008-09 and £1,432 million in 2009-10.

Ministerial Correspondence

Brian Adam (Aberdeen North) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what its performance was in answering ministerial correspondence in the fourth quarter of 2007.

Bruce Crawford: In the quarter October to December 2007, 8,337 letters were received by ministers and 94% received a reply within our target of 20 working days.

NHS Funding

Richard Baker (North East Scotland) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how much funding was provided to fund health centres in Grampian during (a) 2002-03, (b) 2003-04, (c) 2004-05, (d) 2005-06 and (e) 2006-07.

Nicola Sturgeon: Each board receives a formula allocation of funding for capital and revenue expenditure from which they are required to prioritise their own expenditure including investment in new GP premises. The precise spending on health centres by NHS Grampian is not held centrally.

  Under the Primary and Community Care Premises Modernisation Programme the following specific allocations have been made to NHS Grampian for health centre and other Primary and Community Care projects.

  

 Tranche
 Amount (£)


 1999-2004
 3,322,200


 2004-06
 2,462,000


 2006-08
 5,540,000


 2008-09
 2,691,000


 Total
 14,015,200

Non-Departmental Public Bodies

Jackie Baillie (Dumbarton) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is standard procedure for a minister to call the chief executive of a non-departmental public body, such as the Scottish Environment Protection Agency, to check that there are no misunderstandings with matters of process.

Michael Russell: It is within the scope of ministers’ duties to contact any non-departmental public body for which they are responsible, in appropriate circumstances and within the scope of the relevant legislation, to ensure there are no matters of process or procedure that might be preventing or impeding the efficient running of that organisation. This is entirely consistent with the long established framework of governance and accountability to which non-departmental bodies operate and the desire of this administration to provide a better service to the people of Scotland.

Non-Departmental Public Bodies

Jackie Baillie (Dumbarton) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive under what legislation a minister can seek to instruct a non-departmental public body on the basis of a telephone call in which the minister has neither sought nor received formal advice prior to making the call, showing the relevant section of such legislation.

Michael Russell: Ministerial powers of direction are specific to the organisations to which they apply and are normally contained in the relevant enabling legislation. The way in which directions can be invoked varies depending on the individual circumstances and context.

Non-Profit Distributing Model

Jeremy Purvis (Tweeddale, Ettrick and Lauderdale) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive how many projects in Scotland it plans to develop in future using the non-profit distributing model.

John Swinney: There are plans to take forward the procurement of the Borders Railway project using the non-profit distributing (NPD) model. The NPD model has already been used in schools and has now extended into the health sector. The model will be developed for use in other transport projects and other sectors.

Renewable Energy

Jamie Hepburn (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what contact it has had with UK Government ministers regarding operation and reform of the Renewables Obligation Scheme.

Jim Mather: The Scottish Government has written to the Minister of State for Energy to express support in principle for the proposed introduction of banding to the UK Obligations. The Scottish Government has made clear that any changes to the Obligation in Scotland will reflect Scottish policy and the needs of our developing renewables sector, and that any changes here will be the subject to separate consultation and analysis, and the agreement of the Scottish Parliament.

  The Scottish Government will remain in close contact with the UK Government on all aspects of the Renewables Obligations.

Scottish Environment Protection Agency

Jackie Baillie (Dumbarton) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is standard procedure not to take minutes of conversations between the Minister for Environment and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency in relation to any planning application.

Michael Russell: The Scottish Government does not have a corporate policy or standard procedures on minuting conversations.

Scottish Environment Protection Agency

Jamie McGrigor (Highlands and Islands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it recognises the Scottish Environment Protection Agency as a fund-providing body.

Jamie McGrigor (Highlands and Islands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what organisations and causes are able to access funds that are distributed by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency.

Michael Russell: The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) has powers under the Environment Act 1995 to carry out research and related activities into matters relevant to its functions. SEPA may use its resources to procure these services from other organisations or individuals with the necessary skills and experience. SEPA also has a general power to do anything which, in its opinion, is calculated to facilitate or is conducive or incidental to, the carrying out of its functions. SEPA does not routinely distribute funds for other purposes.

Sheltered Housing

Irene Oldfather (Cunninghame South) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what importance it places on sheltered housing residents having access to a warden service.

Stewart Maxwell: We recognise the valuable services wardens provide in sheltered housing schemes around Scotland, but also that there are other ways of providing support to residents of sheltered housing. In response to a number of developments, notably the EU Working Time Directive, sheltered housing providers and those commissioning services are considering other methods of supporting older people in sheltered and mainstream housing. Telecare services and visiting support are becoming more widespread alternatives. Local authorities and other providers are best placed to determine which services will provide the best and most cost effective way of supporting older people to maintain independent living in their areas.

Sheltered Housing

Irene Oldfather (Cunninghame South) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive which local authorities have fully withdrawn their sheltered housing warden service and replaced it with an electronic alarm system.

Stewart Maxwell: This is a matter for local authorities. The information requested is not held centrally.

Sheltered Housing

Irene Oldfather (Cunninghame South) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it recommends that local authorities should retain a warden service in sheltered housing complexes.

Stewart Maxwell: Local authorities should consider the housing and support needs of older people when drawing up their Local Housing Strategies to ensure there is sufficient suitable housing and provision of support to enable older people to maintain independent living. Support may be provided in a number of ways, including through warden services, visiting support and the provision of telecare and community alarm systems. It is for local authorities to decide which forms of support will provide the best ways of helping older people in their local areas.

Sheltered Housing

Irene Oldfather (Cunninghame South) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has commissioned or it intends to commission any research into the effects on residents of the withdrawal of a warden service in sheltered housing.

Stewart Maxwell: The Scottish Government published research on sheltered housing Review of Sheltered Housing in Scotland in January 2008. This can be viewed at: www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2008/01/11131906/28 .

  The research provides a comprehensive picture of sheltered housing provision in Scotland and an evidence base for further work on older people’s housing which is now being taken forward. No further research on sheltered housing is planned at this time.